Traditionally scientists have focused on the impact of man on the health of the oceans, but more recently scientists have realized that if man adversely affects ocean health, these unhealthy ocean environments may adversely affect human health as well. Thus was born the concept of Oceans and Human Health (OHH). Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and antibiotic resistant microbes are two of the most significant stressors humans may be exposed to in coastal and aquatic environments through contact recreation, seafood consumption and inhalation or air-borne pollutants. Climate change and eutrophication have been proposed as two major factors causing the recent increase in HABs events world-wide. Backer et al. (2015) reported on HAB related illnesses in the US from 2007-2011 as 4,534 events were reported to the Harmful Algal Bloom-related Illness Surveillance System (HABISS). Most HAB events producing toxins (97%) occurred in freshwater (e.g. lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds) habitats with the remaining reports occurring in brackish (1.45%) or marine waters (1.46%). Toxins associated with Cyanobacteria were the most common type of organism reported and Microcystins was the most frequent toxin detected (81%). Recent studies have also reported Anatoxins, Cylindrospermopsins and Saxtoxins in HAB blooms in both brackish and freshwater. Studies in SC Lakes has shown extensive blooms of Lyngbya and the presence of Lyngbya toxins within surface waters near drinking water intakes. Mammalian toxicology studies of Microcyctin have shown that these toxins may damage the both the liver and the kidney as well as alter the gut microbiome and enhance the effects of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Individuals with underlying liver disease may be more susceptible to Vibrio infections which are the leading cause of death from seafood consumption. The development of ecological forecasts for HABs and Vibrio bacteria, to inform and protect the public will be discussed in terms of water quality, toxin and virulence factors which predict their occurrence.

Climate Change Effects on Harmful Algal Blooms and Antibiotic Resistance in Microbes Affecting Seafood Safety and Contact Recreation: Development of Ecological Forecasts to Better Protect Human Health.

2019 Spring National Meeting

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